Toto Wolff revealed who he desires to drive for Mercedes subsequent yr.
The principal of the Mercedes workforce threw his religion behind present duos George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, regardless of a wave of hypothesis linking him to Verstappen.
Russell stays and not using a signed contract in 2026, with Wolf hinting at his curiosity in Pink Bull driver Verstappen.
However forward of the Components One Belgian Grand Prix this weekend, Wolf straightened out a file of what he hopes to drive in direction of Mercedes subsequent yr.
“The dialogue has been happening over the previous few weeks and months, in order that they’re all updated,” Wolf advised Austrian broadcaster ORF.
“The course of the journey is unquestionably to maintain George and also you going, that is an absolute precedence.
“However you’ll be able to’t look previous the folks like Max or the plans he has for the long run.
“We did that, however I do not suppose there is a massive shock.”
The Reaging F1 Champion Max Verstappen seems to be greater than ever earlier than about staying at Pink Bull in 2026.
He’s on the contract till the tip of 2028, however as a result of existence of a contractual escape clause, F1 Paddock was speaking.
Pink Bull’s lack of competitiveness from the RB21 in comparison with McLaren additionally inspired Verstappen to look elsewhere.
He at present sits third within the Components 1 rating behind Oscar Piastri and Rand Norris.
Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen Secret Sardinia Talks?
Toto Wolf
F1 followers thought they outmart Wolff and Verstappen by monitoring their personal jets in the identical location.
Ralph Schumacher additionally stoked the pot by sharing rumors that the Mercedes boss had met the Pink Bull Driver on Sardinia on Vacation Island.
Wolff responded. “What’s new is persons are doing planes and photograph collages!
“However in case you spend your holidays shut to one another, that does not imply you are going to work collectively in Components 1.
“We have at all times been doing nicely and by likelihood we wish to spend our holidays in the identical place.”
Russell has at all times insisted that in 2026 it could be unlikely to drive for anybody apart from Mercedes.
He hasn’t put the pen on paper for a brand new deal but, however after Wolf’s dedication to him, it now feels imminent.
Subsequent yr, F1 2026 rules will start, providing the chance for all groups within the sport to construct a dominant period with new vehicles.
Which means that in 2027, after exhibiting that every workforce’s one yr will be carried out, the monitoring to signal Verstappen might resume.
